Sole-attaching press



Aug'. 20, 1929. G. M. RAY 1,725,103

soLE ATTACHING PRESS Filed Jan- 8, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 @@QHQIQQQQMQAu@ 20 1929' G. M. RAY 1,725,103

SOLE ATTACHING PRES S Filed Jan- 8, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug.zo, 1929..

UNITED STATI-:s

y y y 1,125,103v PATENTA orrlca.

encuen n. an', or, NEWTON emma, nassacnusm'rs, assronon 'ro menen wannaCOMPANY, or sourir nos'roN, xassacnusarrs, n coaroaariouorMASSACHUSETTS.

SOLE-ATTAGHIN G Application led January 8, 1989. Serial lo. $31,050.

This invention relates to fluid pressure presses which are primarilyemployed in adesively connecting the outer soles yof shoes to the uppersthereof.

In the manufacture of `shoes in which leather outer soles are attachedby means of an adhesive without other attaching means, it is customaryto apply the adhesive to the edge portions of the upper and lining andthen last the shoe onto an inner sole,` the lasted in upper usuallybeing secured b tacks or staples until the adhesive sets, a er whichthey may be removed. By this operation, the upper. portion which extendsonto the inner sole is ilattened, so that ordinarily it presents anearly smooth'surface.- A filler -of felt, or otherv material, thethickness of which is approximately the same as that of the upper andlining portions which are drawn onto the outer sole, is usually placedin the s ace with` in the edge of the upper, so that t e surface vtowhich the outer sole is applied may be as nearly level as possible,aside from its normal gradual curvature. Consequently.I the ,'whil-e theadhesive sets comprises a iloxx margin portion of the outersole willordinarily be pressed against a nearly uniforml surface, permittingsatisfactory adhesion thruout its entire margin. v

The type of sole press generally employed for holding theA outer soleagainst the uper diaphragm, or air container, which engages theV outersurface of the sole and has suiiicient fullness and width to enablerassure to be applied to soles of diierent wi ths, not only throughoutthe entire bottom to the extreme edge ofthe sole, but also to asubstantial extent against the side of the shoe, the edge portion of thesole being usually bent thereby slightly upward against the upper.

While this action is desirablein the forepart and shank portion of theshoe, as satisfactory adhesion at the extreme edge ofthe Asole may thusbesecured, I have ascertained that, at the heel part, this action tendsto press the counter inwardly adjacent the heel seat and thus detractfrom, or destroy the rounded eliect which isv desired at this point.

It is desirable thathe portion of the sole to which the heel is attachedbe made Apractically level by' this operation, that is either iiat orslightly convex 'transversal In ressing the sole against bottom of alaste shoe by means of a flexible diaphragm,

plied to the low ortions as to t e higher por-l tions of the sur ace, sothat, if there 1s some unevenness inthe surface against which the soleiselpressed, the diaphragm does not tend to lev this unevenness, so thatthe solo sur face will be correspondingl uneven.

Moreover, the filler. whic -is placed on the inner sole withinthe edgeof the lasted in upper is liable to be either too thick or too thin. Ifit is too thick it is liable to cause a raised portion in the middle ofthe outer sole and if it is too thin the diaphragm is likely'to pressthe sole inward at its middle port1on,'so that a concavity isl formedtherein, which latter result is particularly undesirable.

'Also any unevenness of the surface to which the sole is adhesivelyconnected tends to detract from the strength of the adhesion if theunevenness is sufficient to hold vthe adjacent portions of the soleout'of contact with the shoe bottoni. i

AThe 'objects of my invention are to provide a sole-pressing device ofthe character above described, in which all tendency to distort thecounter about the heel seat, by the sole pressing operation, will beprevented, and with which lthe action will have a strong tendency toBatten or level the heel seat.

Also to provide a device of this character surface, and decreasedpressure will be applied to the abnormally low portions thereof and theeffect of a filler which is too thick, or

too thin, or other irregularity will be neu,

tralized to as great an extent as possible.

I accomplis accompanying drawing, in which: I Fig. 1 is a plan view andFig. 2 a side elevation of a sole press embodying my invention.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section thereof at line'3-3 of Fig. l. A

Fig. 4 is a cross section at line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross` section at line 6-5 of Fig. 2. FFig. 6 is a crosssection at line SW6 of 1. 4 ig. 7 is a detail plan View and 8 is a theseobjects in the manner hereinafter described and as illustrated in thelongitudinal sectional view ci the forepart4V y l in devices of thischaracteigand com rises a leveling means which I employ.. .l

Asi shown. in, the drawings a! cast metal box 10 is provided, having anvair' Vinlet ligand 5 .outlet 12, and having'. its top.' edge, at each zTeide, shaped to follow' the `general line of the bottom'of'a shoe from.toe toaheel. The top of the box is closed byia diaphragm 11i, ci

Sheetrubber, which is covered.'` with a sheet sIrritable material, Vandboth sheets are securely' `amped to the top edge ci the box by a metalstrip 16, which 'is bolted thereto, so that an 5,. air tight connectionis formed. rlhe dia-A T' rphra m thus formed is made with considerableullness which is greatest at the toe end.

According to my invention l provide a dat sheet metal plate 18 betweenthe rubber and the leather, said late being of uniform thickness andnearlyanlexible, though capable of lbeing sprung, under some conditions,so that it has a slight curvature.

l The Width of said plate 18 is approximately as great as the averagelength of the heel seatof a shoe from the back e'nd to the shank Y andthe length thereof is somewhat less than'- the distance between the sidesurfaces interiorly of the box, so that there is a suihcient l portionoi the diaphragm between the ends of the plate and the Apoint when thediaphragm is clamped to permit such up and down movement as may benecessary. rlhe plate 18 is also/located as near the end of the box,which is designed to be used as the heel end, as practicable,.so thatthe portion of the diaphragm between the end. Wall of the box and theadjacent edge of the diaphragm is suilicient to permit the necessaryvertical movement. The portion of the diaphragm which is directlybeneath theshoe forepart, when the shoe is placed thereon, with theheelseat restingl over plate 18, is provided-With a series of thin, narrow,resilient strips 19 of sheet metal, lwhich are arranged to extendcrosswise of vthe box with their. edgesin close proximity. The lengthand arrangement of said strips is preferably such that the ends thereofcorrespend in a general 'Way to the outline of the sole iorepart oi alshoe of the largest size 'which is likely to be operated on, and thearrangement thereoi on the diaphragm is' made to approximate theposition of the shoe thereon.. To hold the resilient metal strips 19 inthefrelative positions desired, they are placed between two sheets 29 ofthin deaible material, such as thin leather or cloth, said sheets beinoi sucient size to overlap the same, and t ien the sheets are stitchedtogether about each strip close to the edges' thereof, so that eachstrip lis held in apocltet. As Atime preu pared, the strips may then beplaced either between `the rubber and leather diaphragme, as shown, oron top oi the latter,

The means illustrated tor holding the shoe last against thepressing'action oiLthe dia fo'fwstout, but eriblev leather, or other.

hragni is` a form of jack commonly employed ost 22, which is connectedto one' en ofthe X and to which a heavy bar 24 is connected `by a pivot25, and an arm 26, Which'is. con- In attaching the outer sole to a shoeWhichv has been lasted, the surfaces which are to be connected arecovered with any suitable adhesive, and the shoe, With the sole inpositionl therebeneath, is placed on the diaphragm in 'such a positionthat the heel-seat is directly over the plate 18, and the fore part overthe resilient strips 19, the shoe being preferably held in such aposition that the front end of its heel seat is directly over the irontedge of the plate. The jack posts are then placed in position and thebar24 is locked down. Then a Huid under pressure is admitted to thechamber, forcing the-sole againstthe shoe bottom and cause a .firmadhesion. Under' these conditions the plate 18 will prevent in- Wardbending of the diaphragm at the points Where it engages the heel seat,so that .if the heel-seat is uneven at certain points, the tendagainstwhich it is pressed thus being reduced or eliminated. lf, however, theheel seat is slightly convex transversely, the plate 18 may be sprungcorrespondingly, but the general edect is to tend to level the surfaceoi' the` heelseat, or reduce any unevenness therein.

At the-same time, as the plate 18extends beyond the sides oithe heelseat and is practically inexible, or rigid, it will prevent thediaphragm 'from being pressed against any portion of theside ci theshoe, so as to distort the curvature of the counter, or upper portionclosely adjacent the heel seat.

The flexible metal strips 19 have a leveling action on the 'lore part othe shoe bottom' which is similar in many respects to the action incl ofplate 18 on the heel seat, as pressure will be applied with the greatestforce to the portions, i any, which project above the general level oithe bottom surface to which the sole the middle portion of the soleiorepart iii- Wardly beyond the normal level, by bridging the spacebetween the edges of the inturned upper and causing excess pressure tobe aD- ln case ies plied to the latter. The tendency to form a slightconcavity in the middle of the sole forepart is thus minimized. Theplates i9 thus have an equalizing action by tending to reduce, oreliminate inequalities the surface of the outer sole.

As each strip 19 is relatively narrow as compared with the length of theforepart, and each strip is flexibly connected to the other at itsedges, the strips readily conform to the longitudinal curvature of thesole, and, as the strips are readily flexible, they also conform to theshoe bottom transversely and do not prevent the diaphragm from acting topress upward about the sides of the shoe, so as to secure satisfactoryadhesion at the edge of the sole.

As the heel seat of the shoe rests on the diaphragm directly over plate18, and the lifting action of the diaphragm at this point iscomparatively slight, the angular position of the toe portion will varyaccording to the height of the heel which the shoe is designed to carry,so that a shoe designed to carry a high heel Will have its toe portionextend to a higher elevation than one designed to carry a low heel. Forthis reason extra fullness is provided in the diaphragm at the toeportion, as indicated in Fig. 3, so that a suitable pressure will beapplied to the toe end of the sole, even though the shoe is designed fora particularl high heel, the press being also adapte for use inconnection with a shoe designed to carry a low heel.l Under someconditions it is desirable to employ the strips 19 held in pocketsbetween the separate sheets 20 on the top side of the diaphragm, so thatthey may be adjusted on the diaphragm to some extent in relation to theposition of the shoe, which is not possible when the strips are securedbetween the rubber and leather diaphragms,

.but the action thereof is practically the same With either arrangement.

I claim: Y

l. A sole applying device comprisinga iuid tight container having aflexible d iaphragm at one side and means for supplying fluid pressurethereto, means for holding a lasted shoe in position to permit thediaphragm to be pressed against its bottom, and meansfor stilfening asection of the shoe-bottom-engaging portion of the diaphragm to increasethe pressure on the elevations and reduce the pressure on thedepressions of the surface of the shoe-bottom engaged thereby Withoutreducing the flexibility of adjacent portions of the diaphragm. s

2. A sole applying device compr1s1ng a fluid tight containery having aflexible d iaphragm at one side and means for supplying fluid pressurethereto, means for holding a lasted shoe in position to permit thediaphra to be pressed against its bottom, and a sti ening plate onasection of the shoe-bottom-engaging portion of the diaphragm, forreducing inequalities of the surfaces With which it is engaged Withoutimpairing the flexibility of the diaphragm about the edges of the plate.

3. A sole applying device comprising a jack for holding a lasted shoe, aflexible diaphragm adapted and arranged to conform to the bottom of ashoe held by said jack, fluid pressure means for forcing the diaphragmagainst the shoe bottom, and a metal plate interposed between thediaphragm and the shoe bottom and arranged to be engaged with the shoebottom thruout the width thereof by the pressure of the diaphragmthereagainst, to educe inequalities of the shoe bottom surace.

4. A sole applying device comprising a jack for holdinga lasted shoe, aflexible diaphragm adapted and arranged to conform to the bottom of ashoeheld by said jack, fluid pressure means for forcing the diaphragmagainst the shoe bottom, and a flat, substantially inflexible platedisposed on the diaphragm in position to be' engaged with the heel seatportion of the shoe bottoni throughout its Width when the diaphragm ispressed against the same.

5. A sole applying device comprising a jack for holding a lasted shoe, aflexible diaphragm adapted and arranged to conform. to the bottom of ashoe held by said jack, fluid pressure means for forcing the diaphragmagainst the shoe bottom, and a flat, substantially inflexible platedisposed on the diaphragm in'position to be engaged with the heel seatportion of the shoe bottom throughout its area and to extend beyond saidpor tion at each side thereof, to reduce inequalities in the heel seatsurface and to prevent the application of pressure by the diaphragm tothe sides of the shoe adjacent said portion.

6. A sole applying device comprising an air chamber having a flexiblediaphragm forming the top wall thereof and adapted for engagement withthe bottom and adjacent portion of the sides of a lasted shoe and meansfor holding the lasted shoe against the up- Ward pressure of thediaphragm, and a flat, substantially inflexible plate mounted on saiddiaphragm directly beneath the heel seat portion of the shoe when heldin position thereon, and arranged to extend transversely thereof beyondeach side of the shoe at said portion and longitudinally from back tofront of said portion.

7 A sole applying device comprising a j ack for holding a lasted shoe, aflexible diaphragm adapted and arranged to conform to the bottom of ashoe held by said jack, fluid pressure means for forcing the diaphragmagainst the shoe bottom, and flexible stiflening means on thefore-part-engaging portion of the diaphragm arranged to terminateadjacent the outline of said portion for reducing f vedge cof'edge forengine-r adjustment to confor i eej 'he soieG i dille" eoieeppijvingdevice comprising :i

holding e, iested shoe, e. iexihie diepnenginA adopted and arranged toconform to ion iiudinei enrvature oi the' v pho' bottom. oi e shoe heidhyseid jack, Quid :pressure ineens for forcing the diaphragm egeins theshoe hoi-toni, and ieveling ineens yon the oreper; engaging portion ofthe diephregin comprising e series of flexible inetei strips arranged toextend fnensversely of seid portion Wih their adjacent edges in cioseproximity and their" end portions extending beyond each side of saidportion.A

i0. solo applying .deviee comprising e jack for hoiding e iested shoe, eiiexihie diophregm edaped and arranged to coni'orin to die hooom of ashoe heid by seid jack, fluid,

pressure ineens for forcing the diaphragm yegeinsi; the shoe bosoins andieveiing ineens on the'fore pero engeging portion of the die- Aphregniooinpiising e series of strips of fienihie sheep instel, endA e fiexibiesheet having a series oiq pockeas for seid strips arranged to" heid theseme Wifbh the side edges of edieeent strips in proximity end form eHexihie conneoiion between seid edges.,

LL A soie applying device comprising e casing having e iexibie diaphragmclosing; one side thereof to provide e duid tight con- Lee-moe teiner towhich uid under pressure may he supplied, Ineens for holding e lastedshoe in position to permitJ the diaphragm to be pressed against itsbottom, and stifening ineens on e section of theshoe-hottoxni-engeging'poriion of the diaphragm ier reducing theiielibility of seid section. Without reducthe iiexihiiity oi' theportions of ehe diephregni he'tveen seid section and the sides` portion.to conform eo ineqnaiities of the cor-y responding seoion of theshoe-hottoin and to bend to conform 'to he transverse and iongitudinelenrvatures thereof.

13= lisoie applying device Comprising e iiuid tight container having eieizibie diephragzn at one side and means for suppiying Huidpressuretherezo, ineens for holding e lasted shoe in position to permitthe die phregin to be pressed against iis bottom, e substantiallyinflexible stiening ineens for o secion of the heei-seet-engegingportion of the diaphragm, for causing the diaphragm to have :i levellingaction on the heei seat of *die shoe, and e iieXible stiiiening ineensfor o. seotion of 'the foreperbengaging portion oi the diaphragmConstructed 'to rednce the cendency of seid section to conform toinequa1ities of the shoe hottoni forepert end o permit the seme toconform to the eurvetnres thereof.

iin testimony whereof, have signed my naine to this specification.,

GEORGE hi RAY.

